ICQ Chat programme has taken over Google search

Hi All,

Inavertendly, I downloaded ICQ without having checked whether it was working under window 7.

When I removed it ICQ remained with its own ICQ search. I have tried deleting all the references to ICQ I could find in my computer, and I spite of it, every time I opened my browser, the very first page that comes up is ICQ search.

Would anyone have a suggestion as to how I could remove this pest?
Thank you in advance.

That is strange. have you tried to search through the registry and check for any obvious ICQ entries? Definitely use an app such as Erunt to back up the registry before attempting any changes. Type regedit in the search box and click on regedit.exe. Edit tan, Find and type ICQ and start searching. Be sure what you are looking at. F3 will find the next entry. When you find an entry you are sure of right click and delete. Again make the backup or an Image of your system. Changing some registry entries will screw up you PC.

The Following User Says Thank You to Medico For This Useful Post:

HI Ted, thank you. I am a complete stranger to Registry. I daren't changing it. Here is what I found, and I am not sure which one I should delete:
ab (default) REG SZ ICQ Service
ab LocalService REG SZ ICQ Service
ab ServiceParameters REG SZ -Service

It almost looks like the ICQ service is running. I'm wondering if it set an add on in your browser. Open your browser and Manage Add ons (IE) to see if there is an add on. I thing in Chrome it might be called an Extension. Also check in services Start Orb, type services in search box and see if ICQ has a service started. Other than these 2 I am out of ideas. It appears that the first 2 you have of the aforementioned are related to ICQ and can be deleted.

I'm also glad it worked. Unfortunately there are times even the best uninstallers do not find everything. Just for my edification when you used Revo Uninstaller did you choose the Advanced Option to look for leftover stuff, or something less than that.